These findings could eventually be used by prosecutors in court to set fines against the world's largest automaker. Volkswagen already owes $25 billion to multiple entities in the U.S/, including a recent criminal settlement. If more penalties are brought against the carmaker in Europe, it could be a crucial blow to the recovering business model.

DGCCRF said that the maximum penalty for the company would be 10 percent of its annual income, equating to 19.73 billion euros, or roughly $22 billion. This would come into play if the Paris prosecutor decides to convict VW with fraud.